Vehicle interface device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle interface device configured to output a haptic signal to indicate a potential hazard. The apparatus includes at least one haptic generator configured to generate a haptic signal; and a processor for controlling the haptic generator. The processor is configured to determine an angular position of the identified object relative to the vehicle in dependence on object data relating to an identified object representing a potential hazard. A control signal is generated to cause the haptic generator to output a haptic signal for providing an indication of the determined relative position of the identified object. The control signal is modified to progressively change the generated haptic signal to represent changes in the relative angular position of the identified object. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle incorporating a vehicle interface device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage application of PCT Application No, PCT / EP2016 / 050653, filed on Jan. 14, 2016, which claims priority from Great Britain Patent Application No. 1500590.3 filed on Jan. 14, 2015, Great Britain Patent Application No. 1500592.9 filed on Jan. 14, 2015, and Great Britain Patent Application No. 1500591.1 filed on Jan. 14, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The above-referenced PCT international Application was published in the English language as international Publication No. WO 2016 / 113345 A1 on Jul. 21, 2016.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to a vehicle interface device; to a vehicle having an interface device; and to a method of generating a haptic indication.BACKGROUND[0003]The activity of driving a vehicle can prove stressful. According to the driving situation, the driver can be distracted or have a high level of mental workload. These si...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The vehicle interface device outputs a haptic signal to notify the vehicle driver of an identified object which represents a potential hazard. By progressively changing the haptic signal, the interface provides a substantially continuous indication of the position of the identified object in relation to the vehicle. The haptic signal can be controlled to mirror changes in the determined position of the identified object in relation to the vehicle. The interface can, at least in certain embodiments, facilitate identification and assessment of the hazard posed by the identified object.

[0018]The vehicle interface device can provide an awareness of a potential hazard in terms of one or more of the following: position, trajectory, nature, criticality, etc. The haptic signal generated by the vehicle interface device can convey information, for example using one or more of the following strategies: frequency and / or magnitude to represent criticality of the potential hazard; position (i.e. the location of the potential hazard); motion (trajectory of the potential hazard); and controlling a signature of the haptic signal to indicate the nature of the identified object. At least in certain embodiments, these strategies can provide an intuitive interface capable of providing improved awareness of a potential hazard in order to facilitate prevention of an accident.

[0082]The vehicle interface device displays the visual indicator to notify the vehicle driver of an identified object which represents a potential hazard. At least in certain embodiments, the display position of the visual indicator may be modified to provide a substantially continuous spatial representation of the relative angular position of the identified object. Changes in the relative angular position of the identified object are represented by the progressive changes in the display position of the visual indicator. Changes in the relative angular position may be represented by a spatially uninterrupted, continuous movement of the visual indicator. The uninterrupted movement of the visual indicator within the display means provides a continuous representation of changes in the angular position of the identified object relative to the vehicle. The visual indicator provides an indication of a relative direction to the identified object. The uninterrupted movement of the visual indicator may facilitate identification and assessment of any hazard posed by the identified object.

[0156]The vehicle interface device outputs the audio object to alert the vehicle driver of an identified object which represents a potential hazard. By progressively changing the audio object, the vehicle interface may provide a substantially continuous (i.e. substantially uninterrupted) indication of the angular position of the identified object in relation to the vehicle. The audio object may be controlled to mirror changes in the determined position of the identified object in relation to the vehicle. The perceived spatial location of the audio object may be changed progressively to track the determined angular position of the identified object. The vehicle interface may, at least in certain embodiments, facilitate identification and assessment of the hazard posed by the identified object. The location of the audio object, as perceived by a vehicle occupant (for example the driver of the vehicle), is referred to herein as the perceived spatial location of the audio object.

[0158]The vehicle interface device may provide an awareness of a potential hazard in terms of one or more of the following: position, trajectory, nature, criticality, etc. The audio object generated by the vehicle interface device may convey information, for example using one or more of the following strategies: frequency and / or volume to represent criticality of the potential hazard; position (i.e. the location of the potential hazard); motion (trajectory of the potential hazard); and controlling the acoustic signature to indicate the nature of the identified object. At least in certain embodiments, these strategies may provide an intuitive interface capable of providing improved awareness of a potential hazard in order to facilitate prevention of an accident.

Problems solved by technology

The activity of driving a vehicle can prove stressful.

According to the driving situation, the driver can be distracted or have a high level of mental workload.

This presents a risk of visual clutter and may render the information difficult to understand or potentially incomprehensible.

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